Having known a person with detailed working knowledge of the scrap and rework rate at a well known U.S. based appliance parts maker, it comes as no surprise to see the repair rates and costs of every aspect of appliances continue to skyrocket. Worse, it just seems to be acceptable and part of the, “that’s how we’ve always done it” mentality.
If you happen to have a public water utility or a terrific well water supply and you’re happy with the taste, etc., you may be able to purchase a bypass plug for the filter and go without one. Strange but they never seem to advertise these. Learned about them from the parts guy in the appliance store service dept. Filters for our fridge just went up $10. What a gimmick. “Just do what the little light on the fridge tells you to do.”
Sadly, I can point to the exact day as “a friend” sold his 60 shares, tired of waiting for some signs of life from the company. Oracle’s stock price left the atmosphere the very next day and Larry had his 24+ hours of hyper-fame before the price reached apex and came back to a lower orbit and Musk retook the helm. Good for Larry. I’d settle for #2 in that roster.
Thank you, Adam, for yet another insightful article with some good ideas to investigate. While the tech sector has been a wonderful ride, allowing for a 200%+ three year gain that I would have never imagined, especially after a bad-timing early retirement with significant issue$ that came out of left field, right field, the dugout, and…… Even better results, actually, when considering that I’ve been tapping my investments to clear out debt, help others and more. It is a great feeling, for us, to be free and clear of a mortgage and a car payment. It’s been a slow process chipping away at long term, high gain holdings. It’s not easy to back away from a winning horse at least until there’s the bad week or even a really bad down day. And yes, I watch the tax implications carefully in decision making but also have learned you need to be careful not to let the tax tail wag the dog. The other half of the problem is, what on earth do I invest in now? Pork and beans, clothing, etc aren’t too exciting as investments. That’s the proverbial third half of the problem of a profitable run when you checked your portfolio over several years to see how much you made that day or week, not IF you did. To be clear here, we have been extremely fortunate over the long run. Nothing more. Not looking for a vacation home, Lambo or the like. It’s just time to lower the risk factor. Best to all.
Seven days seems to be the magic number to beat here. “Sadly”, I can only offer a tie. Apparently we have a package arriving today. It started its journey in Florida having visited 3 locations in that state. Onward through two locations in Colorado. Short stop in Indianapolis. Took the scenic tour through 4 locations in Michigan and is now on the road to my house today, I hope. Maybe the post office rings up frequent flyer miles on packages? Heck, I can’t even remember what on earth is arriving but thankfully, it appears that it’s nothing we couldn’t survive without.
Yeah the kind where if a strand of the stuff happens to fall across both prongs of the electrical plug no quite inserted all the way into the wall outlet…….. ”Nobody move! A fuse is out!” A Christmas Story.
“For every thing, there is a season.” There are many charts out there that can readily show how the top performers (say, 25 companies) in any decade can and do shift dramatically in their place holding. Some seemingly come out of nowhere and some drop out just as quickly. In the days of yore, there were decades where the Exxons of the world stayed pretty high on the list. I bought many shares of Apple back in 2010 for today’s split equivalent price of about $9/share (and scared to death). Fifteen years later, I believe I’m at a 2,400% gain. Is that good? For years, it’s been a snooze fest. I’ve peeled off shares over the years when at the time, it’s seemed like a good time to do so. No regrets. Same basic story and timeline for J.P. Morgan, just not as “sizzling”. Out of 20 or so stocks I currently hold, 18 of them have 5 or less years time in my hands. The good news is that I’ve somehow managed to squeak out more substantial winners than less substantial “uh-oh’s” over time (and there were plenty). There are just so many factors involved, even when you buy into seemingly solid firms. I could never have imagined, for example, a president basically extorting money from U.S. companies. I guess now you have to pay to play. For me, I believe we are well past the Ron Popeil, “set it and forget it” mindset. The cost however of paying close attention, is time. And there are still no guarantees.
Comments
Having known a person with detailed working knowledge of the scrap and rework rate at a well known U.S. based appliance parts maker, it comes as no surprise to see the repair rates and costs of every aspect of appliances continue to skyrocket. Worse, it just seems to be acceptable and part of the, “that’s how we’ve always done it” mentality.
Post: Have you purchased an appliance lately? Talk about sticker shock.
Link to comment from October 11, 2025
If you happen to have a public water utility or a terrific well water supply and you’re happy with the taste, etc., you may be able to purchase a bypass plug for the filter and go without one. Strange but they never seem to advertise these. Learned about them from the parts guy in the appliance store service dept. Filters for our fridge just went up $10. What a gimmick. “Just do what the little light on the fridge tells you to do.”
Post: Have you purchased an appliance lately? Talk about sticker shock.
Link to comment from October 11, 2025
Sadly, I can point to the exact day as “a friend” sold his 60 shares, tired of waiting for some signs of life from the company. Oracle’s stock price left the atmosphere the very next day and Larry had his 24+ hours of hyper-fame before the price reached apex and came back to a lower orbit and Musk retook the helm. Good for Larry. I’d settle for #2 in that roster.
Post: Managing Concentration Risk
Link to comment from October 4, 2025
Thank you, Adam, for yet another insightful article with some good ideas to investigate. While the tech sector has been a wonderful ride, allowing for a 200%+ three year gain that I would have never imagined, especially after a bad-timing early retirement with significant issue$ that came out of left field, right field, the dugout, and…… Even better results, actually, when considering that I’ve been tapping my investments to clear out debt, help others and more. It is a great feeling, for us, to be free and clear of a mortgage and a car payment. It’s been a slow process chipping away at long term, high gain holdings. It’s not easy to back away from a winning horse at least until there’s the bad week or even a really bad down day. And yes, I watch the tax implications carefully in decision making but also have learned you need to be careful not to let the tax tail wag the dog. The other half of the problem is, what on earth do I invest in now? Pork and beans, clothing, etc aren’t too exciting as investments. That’s the proverbial third half of the problem of a profitable run when you checked your portfolio over several years to see how much you made that day or week, not IF you did. To be clear here, we have been extremely fortunate over the long run. Nothing more. Not looking for a vacation home, Lambo or the like. It’s just time to lower the risk factor. Best to all.
Post: Managing Concentration Risk
Link to comment from October 4, 2025
Or use up what is close to its “expiration date” that they have a lot of.
Post: I’ll take the “best” thing on the menu says Quinn
Link to comment from September 17, 2025
Seven days seems to be the magic number to beat here. “Sadly”, I can only offer a tie. Apparently we have a package arriving today. It started its journey in Florida having visited 3 locations in that state. Onward through two locations in Colorado. Short stop in Indianapolis. Took the scenic tour through 4 locations in Michigan and is now on the road to my house today, I hope. Maybe the post office rings up frequent flyer miles on packages? Heck, I can’t even remember what on earth is arriving but thankfully, it appears that it’s nothing we couldn’t survive without.
Post: A Record Journey
Link to comment from August 22, 2025
Yeah the kind where if a strand of the stuff happens to fall across both prongs of the electrical plug no quite inserted all the way into the wall outlet…….. ”Nobody move! A fuse is out!” A Christmas Story.
Post: Bah Humbug! It’s Not Even September Yet
Link to comment from August 21, 2025
And just like that, per CNBC this morning, Novo Nordisk shares pop 5% after Wegovy receives U.S. approval for treatment of liver disease, MASH.
Post: Harder Than It Looks
Link to comment from August 18, 2025
Spot on. “Go where you wanna go. Do what you wanna do.” - Mama’s & Papa’s.
Post: Not Retired, Just Re-Directed
Link to comment from August 18, 2025
“For every thing, there is a season.” There are many charts out there that can readily show how the top performers (say, 25 companies) in any decade can and do shift dramatically in their place holding. Some seemingly come out of nowhere and some drop out just as quickly. In the days of yore, there were decades where the Exxons of the world stayed pretty high on the list. I bought many shares of Apple back in 2010 for today’s split equivalent price of about $9/share (and scared to death). Fifteen years later, I believe I’m at a 2,400% gain. Is that good? For years, it’s been a snooze fest. I’ve peeled off shares over the years when at the time, it’s seemed like a good time to do so. No regrets. Same basic story and timeline for J.P. Morgan, just not as “sizzling”. Out of 20 or so stocks I currently hold, 18 of them have 5 or less years time in my hands. The good news is that I’ve somehow managed to squeak out more substantial winners than less substantial “uh-oh’s” over time (and there were plenty). There are just so many factors involved, even when you buy into seemingly solid firms. I could never have imagined, for example, a president basically extorting money from U.S. companies. I guess now you have to pay to play. For me, I believe we are well past the Ron Popeil, “set it and forget it” mindset. The cost however of paying close attention, is time. And there are still no guarantees.
Post: Harder Than It Looks
Link to comment from August 16, 2025